December 19th, 2012 (InsideCostaRica.com) Costa Rica nominated Foreign Trade Minister Anabel Gonzalez for the post of World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General, to succeed the current Director-General, Mr. Pascal Lamy, from France, whose term in office comes to an end on August 31st, 2013.

The Costa Rican President, Laura Chinchilla, made the announcement on Tuesday after the Government Council.

Chinchilla praised the minister’s work, and stated that, “[she] is very positively recognized in the international community.” She also stated that Gonzalez is “the best candidate.”

According to the WTO procedures for appointment of Director-General, the nomination period will close on December 31st, 2012.

A formal General Council meeting will be held on January 29th, 2013.

The selection process will conclude with a decision by the General Council no later than May 31st, 2013.

If she were to be elected for the position, Gonzalez would have to leave her current position as Costa Rica’s Foreign Trade Minister in 2013, before the end of Laura Chinchilla’s administration.

Gonzalez stated that she felt “very honored” by the support that she has received for her nomination.

The minister has been one of the President’s main counselors and responsible for Costa Rica’s trade policies.

President Chinchilla did put one condition on Gonzalez’s nomination – that if she were to win the position, Chinchilla has asked that she not take along her husband, Francisco Chacon, who is the current Communication Minister.